Fansided

The top 25 NFL players under the age of 25

By Russell S. Baxter

KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 20: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs grimaces after being hit during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 20: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs grimaces after being hit during the AFC Championship Game against the New England Patriots at Arrowhead Stadium on January 20, 2019 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
14 of 25
Next
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 10: Hunter Danielle #99 of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 21-7. (Photo by Rob Leiter/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – DECEMBER 10: Hunter Danielle #99 of the Minnesota Vikings in action during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on December 10, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Vikings 21-7. (Photo by Rob Leiter/Getty Images) /

12. DE Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings

It’s pretty interesting to see a player in this list who has already notched four seasons in the NFL. That is the case when it comes to Minnesota Vikings’ defensive end Danielle Hunter, who turns 25 years old on Oct. 29. The 2015 third-round pick from LSU has played in a total of 62 regular-season contest, has not missed a game the past three years and been a 16-game starter each of the last two seasons.

Yes, the Vikings’ defensive line has usually been loaded with talent over the years. But Hunter (who combined to make only one start during his first two seasons in the NFL really came into his own in 2018. Only the Rams’ Aaron Donald (20.5), Houston’s J.J. Watt (16) and Kansas City’s Chris Jones (15.5) finished with more quarterback traps than the improving performer. Hunter’s 14.5 sacks were nine more than teammate Everson Griffen’s (5.5), who finished second on the team in this category this past season. Minnesota finished ’18 third in the league with 50 QB traps – trailing only the Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers (52).

As for Hunter, he’s accumulated 40 sacks in 62 regular-season outings. His grades each of the past three seasons from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) have been remarkably consistent. The 6-foot-2, 252-pound end has not generated a lot of big plays to date (3 forced fumbles) and that’s certainly something for the four-year pro to work on this offseason.

Next: No. 11

Home/NFL